2003 President's Message
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U c h i n a n c h u The Voice of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association April/May U 2003 Issue #90 Circulation 10,200 GEORGE TAMASHIRO INSTALLED AS 2003 HUOA PRESIDENT by Karleen C. Chinen Kyoyu Kai and a member of Itoman Shijin Kai. He co- Uchinanchu of the Year — 100-year-old Gensuke Bito Doshi Kai chaired the 2002 Okinawan Festival with vice president Nakama from Ginoza Shijin Kai, and Itoman Shijin Kai’s Keith Kaneshiro. The theme, “Chimu Zurii — The Kenichi Kaneshiro, who will turn 100 in August. Mr. Over 800 people packed the Teruya Pavilion of the Beautiful Harmony” will guide his year as president. Nakama arrived in Hawai‘i in 1919 at the age of 17. Mr. Hawaii Okinawa Center on Jan. 18 for the installation An engineer by profession, Tamashiro is deputy Kaneshiro immigrated to Hawai‘i in 1920. Each honor- of George T. Tamashiro as 2003 president of the Hawaii director of the Department of Design and Construction ee was presented a custom-made, wood-carved Shurei United Okinawa Association and the introduction of for the City and County of Honolulu. He and his wife no mon clock. the 2002 Uchinanchu of the Year. Emeline have three grown children and reside in Consul General of Japan Masatoshi Muto joined the The evening began with an invocation by Rev. Kevin Mililani Town. gathering immediately after touching down at Honolulu Kuniyuki of the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission. Dinner In his installation speech, Tamashiro vowed to sup- International Airport on a flight from Washington, music was provided by koto students from the port HUOA’s many volunteers and staff by encouraging D.C. He applauded the Okinawan community for its Miyashiro Soho Kai, directed by Bonnie Miyashiro Sensei. them to continue their good work, support educational Uchinanchu spirit and service to the community. Muto As the dinner plates were being cleared, the formal programs and cultural exchange through such projects also talked about efforts by the Japanese government to portion of the program got underway. Outgoing HUOA as the DOE strengthen ties between the U.S. and Japan. president Gladys Tokunaga-Asao chose to express her student Congratulatory kampai were offered by Norman gratitude for a fulfilling year by dancing to the song, exchange Nakasone, president of the Wahiawa Okinawa Kyoyu “Arigato,” sung karaoke style by her husband, Charles and the Kai and chair of the installation program, and Rev. Asao. Joining her in the dance were: Amy Higa, Keith scholarship Hiromi Kawaji, president of the United Japanese Kaneshiro, Rodney Kohagura, Thelma Lam, Brian programs. Society of Hawaii. Suzuki, Kaaren Takara and John Tasato. After a quick “Finally, With the formal portion of the program concluded, change of dress, Tokunaga-Asao took the podium to we intend the audience deliver her outgoing president’s message. She reflected to study was treated on what she described as a “monumental and memora- important to an enter- Outgoing president Gladys Tokunaga-Asao presents proposals tainment ble year” that was filled with Okinawan cultural events, the gavel to her successor, George Tamashiro. projects and “taking responsible actions to maintain offered by program that the fiscal viability of our organization.” “Thank you Jimmy Toyama’s administrative committee. These and featured stu- to all of you for helping me lead the Hawaii United other promising ideas will be adopted and result in dents from Okinawa Association and live the theme, “Ichimadin organizational stability,” pledged Tamashiro. Hooge Kai, Kanaganatu — Forever Embracing.” The evening continued with the presentation of the Nakasone The 2003 officers, led by George Tamashiro, were sports awards by outgoing sports committee chair Dance installed by state Rep. Marcus Oshiro, a member of Wayne Miyahira. The volleyball trophy went to Minami Academy, Gushikawa Shijin Kai. Serving with Tamashiro are: pres- Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai, represented by club president directed ident-elect Cheryl Okuma-Sepe (Gushikawa Shijin Kai), Jane Serikaku and the softball award to Hui Makaala Newly installed HUOA President George by Yoshiko vice presidents Keith Kaneshiro (Aza Gushikawa Doshi I, represented by Reid Yamashiro. The bowling trophy Tamashiro dances kachashi with Minani Nakasone Kai), Rodney Kohagura (Ginowan Shijin Kai) and Karleen was presented to team “Champuru,” represented by Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai’s “Uchinanchu of the Sensei. They Chinen (Bito Doshi Kai); secretaries Jane Tateyama league president Tomomi Shimabukuro. The golf tro- Year,” Agnes Kameko Higa. performed (Club Motobu), Leona Urata (Minami Nakagusuku phy was presented to grand champion Russell McGarry an auspicious “Shochikubai” and a lively rendition of Sonjin Kai) and Chikako Nago (Young Okinawans of from Hawaii Shuri-Naha Club, and the Inamine Cup to “Ashibina.” Newly installed president George Tamashiro Hawaii); treasurers Jaysin Asato (Nago Club) and Sandra Kaaren Takara of Minami Nakagusuku Sonjin Kai. was joined by several of his officers and friends for Goya (Nishihara Chojin Kai); and advisors Dorothy Hoe, The other highlight of the evening was the introduc- group singing of two Okinawan songs: “Bashofu,” Jimmy Iha, Roy Kaneshiro, Norman Nakasone, Jane tion of the 2002 “Uchinanchu of the Year” by chair “Tinsagu Nu Hana.” Afuso-ryu Hawaii Sandaa Kai mem- Serikaku and Maurice Yamasato, Tom Yamashiro from Itoman Shijin Kai. The audience bers presented a lively medly of Okinawan folk tunes With Tamashiro formally installed, Gladys Tokunaga- gave an extra boisterous applause for two special and closed the evening with a festive kachashi. Asao presented him the president’s gavel. Tamashiro is a member and past president of the Wahiawa Okinawa 2003 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by George T. Tamashiro student exchange and scholarship programs. This year, 2003 President, Hawaii United Okinawa Association cultural exchanges will take place during our study tour Wahiawa Okinawa Kyoyu Kai, Itoman Shijin Kai and genealogy trips to Okinawa. Third: HUOA’s and WUB’s (Worldwide Uchinanchu Haisai and Aloha — Business) Association first Worldwide Uchinanchu Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Honolulu, HI Permit No. 659 As I accept the presidency, I will remember the hard Conference is scheduled for August 29 – September 2 work and accomplishments of our recent past presi- and offers international exposure. dents. I humbly ask for their guidance. Finally — We intend to study important proposals To Gladys Tokunaga-Asao, we owe a much-improved offered by Jimmy Toyama’s administrative committee. relationship with Okinawa. To Jimmy Iha, a solid com- These and other promising ideas will be adopted and munity outreach program and an awareness of our result in organizational stability. long-range plans. To Doc Miyasato, congratulations These are our challenges. With your assistance, I’m for being a model diplomat and a class act. Each past sure we will continue as energetically as before with president worked for a better Hawaii United Okinawa “Chimu Zurii — The Beautiful Harmony.” Association. We were fortunate to have Norman Nakasone and Here’s what I think will challenge us to keep our the Wahiawa Okinawa Kyoyu Kai and Jane Takayesu’s vibrant organization as strong as before. I will keep my Itoman Shijin Kai organizing tonight’s installation ban- comments to a summary since we have fun and festivi- quet. The entire committee worked really hard. Thank ties waiting backstage. you! Special thanks to my wife Emeline, my strongest First: We need to encourage our 52 member clubs, supporter. affiliate members, Wayne Miyahira’s office staff and We congratulate the new officers and advisors. Also, thousands of volunteers to continue their good work. here’s a special “Mahalo and Congratulations” to all our Hawaii United Hawaii Association Okinawa 94-587 Ukee Street Hawaii Waipahu, 96797 They are obviously the gears that keep us moving forward. Uchinananchu of the Year recipients. Second: Educational programs will be offered in our Ippe Nihei Debiru! 2 Uchinanchu April/May 2003 April/May 2003 Uchinanchu 3 UCHINANCHU Ippe nihei deebiru . mahalo . Uchinanchu is our voice — the voice of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, and December, including five from Maui, three from the Big Island, two from its members, and the “home” we all built together: the Hawaii Okinawa Center. By California and one each from New York and Oregon. sharing information and experiences, Uchinanchu keeps us connected as a family, Every dollar donated — along with the valuable income from advertising — helps dedicated to preserving, sharing and perpetuating our Okinawan cultural heritage. offset the cost of publishing Uchinanchu. HUOA sends a sincere ippe nihei deebiru to HUOA received $5,795.00 in contributions for Uchinanchu in October, November the following donors. Mahalo for keeping Uchinanchu alive and thriving. Anonymous (4) Hisayo Higa Mrs. Doris S. Nakagawa Clarence Tamayori George & Yoko Abe Ronald H. & Tamako Higa Mori Nakamasu Katsuhiko Tamayori Haruko S. Ajifu (Kahului, Maui) Takejiro & Ruby Higa Haruko Nakasone Patrick & Jeanette Tamayori Russell S. Akamine Kay Hokama Soyei & Mildred Nakasone Kimiko Tanouye George and Eleanore Arakaki George Kamimura (Wailuku, Maui) Richard Yeiko Nakasone Doris S. Tengan Clarence Y. Asato George & Shirley Kaneshiro Ronald K. Namihira George S. Tengan Eikichi Asato Ruth N. Kaneshiro Ryotoku Okuma (Elmhurst, New York) Seiyu & Yoshino Toguchi Mr. & Mrs. Herbert T. Asato Diane & Ethel Kawakami Yukisada Oshiro (Pepe‘ekeo, Hawai‘i) Walter & Ethel Ashitomi Fred R. Kishaba (Mission Viejo, Calif.) Mitsuru & Harriet Owara (Pukalani, Maui) Lorraine Y. Toma Richard Y. Chinen Kunie Kiyabu Linyei & Dora Shimabukuro Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Toma Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Fukuji Kiyoshi Kiyan Takeo & Betty Shimabukuro Ken & Nancy Tome Mr. & Mrs. Choko Fukuhara Seizun Kobashigawa Toshiyuki & Carol Shinozawa Kenneth & Janet Umemoto Hawaii Sashiki-Chinen Club Yoshio Kuba Yoshiaki & Coletta Shiroma Richard Uyema Edwin Hayashi Florence Oshiro Mayes Masumi Shoma (Beaverton, Ore.) Alice Y. Uyesato In Memory of Vicki S. Higa Mabel Minagawa Walter & Yoshie Taira Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wang In Memory of Kiyoshi Higa Fumiko Miyahira George Takara (Gardena, Calif.) Shigeru Yamaguchi Mr.